Theme For David Jeremiah Devotional March 19 2021 – Fearing Dark Days
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
Psalm 42:5
Recommended Reading: Matthew 26:38
Charles Spurgeon was known as the “Prince of Preachers” in nineteenth century London. Crowds packed his church weekly to hear him expound on God’s Word. What many don’t know is that Spurgeon suffered from bouts of depression his whole life. He cited various reasons: illness, trauma, loneliness, mental exertion, failure, weather, controversy, criticism, and more.[1]
We have the mistaken impression that godly people don’t suffer from times of spiritual or emotional darkness. But David, the psalmist, certainly did. Three times in the psalms he asked himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” (Psalm 42:5, 11, 43:5) But he, and other psalmists, knew God was the Light who could dispel the darkness: “But I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:81, 114, 147). And the apostle Paul reminds us that dark times can lead to hope, and hope “does not disappoint” because God’s love has been “poured out in our hearts” (Romans 5:3-5).
When darkness descends, don’t fear. Rather, hope in God—His Word and His love—to bring you into the light.
In the darkness of our miseries, the grace of God shines more brightly.
John Calvin
Credit For David Jeremiah Devotional March 19 2021 – David Jeremiah Ministries / davidjeremiah.org